MONDAY 21 MAY 2007
ARTS COMMUNITY BENEFITS FROM SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT
Music composed specifically for the evening will feature at this year's Arts Waikato scholarship awards on Friday May 25.
Performances from previous scholarship recipients are a highlight of the event and last year Waihi student Leon Magowan, currently studying at the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington, offered to compose a work for this year‘s awards.
The piece for piano and violin will be performed by fellow 2006 scholarship recipient Megan MacFarlane and recipient fir this year, Timothy Li, both studying music at the University of Waikato.
"We love to showcase the talent we help to support", says Arts Waikato chief executive Hilary Falconer. "It's exciting to premiere a new work by a young Waikato composer and to involve three scholarship recipients in one performance."
Held at the University's Academy of Performing Arts, the awards will present 28 Waikato students with scholarships totaling $43,000.
The fund supports tertiary study or continuing education in all areas of the arts, with applicants being nominated by a community arts group or educational organisation. Arts Waikato aims to strengthen the arts sector by increasing the knowledge and skill base within these groups.
"We ask people in the arts community to nominate the candidates they feel are most worthy," said Arts Waikato chairperson Alison Gibb. "Hard working volunteers and teachers know who makes the special effort and who will give the greatest contribution back to their community."
Courses being studied this year include whakairo (carving), jazz, ceramics, ballet teaching, commercial music and arts administration.
"We are always impressed by the breadth of study being undertaken in the Waikato arts community", said Ms Falconer, "The scholarships encourage professionalism in the arts as well as support grass roots creative activities."
A donation from The Perry Foundation provides four major scholarships in the categories of music, visual, performing and Maori arts. These are announced on the night and go to recipients who display a high level of contribution to their arts community.
Guest speaker for the evening is Richard Shortland Cooper, originally from Tokoroa, now a high profile sculptor and artist in Auckland.
For more information on the awards or scholarship recipients, contact Arts Waikato on awinfo "at" artswaikato.org.nz 07 838 1576
For more information on Arts Waikato go to www.artswaikato.org.nz
30 January 2007
SCHOLARSHIPS SUPPORT GROWING ARTS SECTOR
Arts Waikato 2007 Scholarship application forms are available this year by downloading from the art trust's website http://www.artswaikato.org.nz/
Increased growth in the arts is opening up more opportunities for professional development and potential career paths, and the Arts Waikato scholarship programme supports these opportunities by funding course fees for any recognised tertiary study or continuing education course.
"The scope of study in the arts is expanding," says Arts Waikato chief executive Hilary Falconer. "As well as an increase in demand for courses in creative areas, such as design, computer graphics and the creative industries, there is a growth in opportunities out in the community, for example in arts management and art therapy."
Scholarships vary in value up to $5000, depending on the course of study and the applicant's match with scholarship criteria. With an annual fund of $40,000, Arts Waikato has already supported arts education in the Waikato to the tune of $200,000.
"Because we are an arts trust supporting the not-for-profit sector, we are looking for candidates who are already active in their arts community, whether by being a performer in a choir, orchestra or community theatre, or by being one of the hundreds of volunteers it takes to keep the arts alive and thriving in our region," says Ms Falconer.
"By increasing the skill levels and experience of volunteers and raising the bar in arts development, we are encouraging the increased growth and profile of the arts in the Waikato."
Application forms are now available from Arts Waikato, district council Creative Community Scheme coordinators, Community Arts Councils, Waikato secondary schools and tertiary institutions. The closing date is Friday March 30 and candidates know the outcome by mid-May.
1 March 2006
FINANCIAL HELP FOR WAIKATO ARTISTS
Artists embarking on tertiary study have till the end of the month to apply for an Arts Waikato scholarship towards their course fees.
Nominations are now open for 2006 scholarships, which can be for study in any area of the arts including arts administration.
Since 2002 Arts Waikato has awarded annual scholarships, with this year's pool of $40,000 bringing the total to $200,000 invested in creative talent throughout the region.
Increased interest in the arts has led to growth in educational opportunities in the creative sector according to Arts Waikato chief executive Hilary Falconer.
"There are many talented people who give a lot to their community and our scholarships encourage them to take up opportunities to develop their own creativity, which has a positive spin-off for the Waikato arts sector," she said.
Arts Waikato scholarships are available to anyone resident or educated in the greater Waikato who is involved in community activities which contribute to the arts in their region. Applicants are nominated for a scholarship through an arts group, educational or community organisation.
Scholarship forms are available from Arts Waikato, District Councils, community arts councils, Waikato secondary schools and tertiary education providers. Applications close on Friday March 31 and scholarships are awarded at the end of May. Study can be undertaken this year or in 2007.
For more information on eligibility and criteria, or for an application form, contact Arts Waikato, 07 838 1576, freephone 0508ARTSWAIKATO
17 May, 2006
ARTS WAIKATO SCHOLARSHIPS SHOW DIVERSITY IN THE ARTS
From fields as varied as opera and classical piano, to tap dancing, film making and art therapy, 24 Waikato artists will receive scholarships to support their studies next week (Friday May 26).
The diversity of arts in the region is reflected in the variety of scholarships being awarded by community arts trust Arts Waikato, which hands out $40,000 each year to support tertiary study in the arts sector.
"We never cease to be impressed by the fabulous work being done in our arts community," said Arts Waikato chief executive Hilary Falconer.
"We have some high fliers this year, such as pianist Rachel Church who has been accepted into the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, Evan McLennan who will be training as a teacher at the American Tap Dance Institute and artist Lyn Murray who will be studying painting in Italy."
"These people are real role models", said Arts Waikato chair Alison Gibb. "They show what can be achieved and give our young people something to aspire to. When their study is completed, these people will strengthen the Waikato arts community by sharing their experiences and training."
Community arts are also supported by the scholarships, with groups such as the Waikato Society of Potters, Hamilton Community Centre of Music, Waihi Drama Society and Waikato Youth Music Association successfully nominating scholarship winners.
The Perry Foundation continues its support for the arts sector by providing four major scholarships honouring contribution to the arts community, which will be announced on the night.
The awards evening is at the WEL Energy Trust Academy of Performing Arts, University of Waikato, Hamilton, on Friday May 26. New Zealand's best known playwright, Roger Hall, will be the guest speaker and present scholarship certificates.
Proud family and friends of scholarship recipients will also be entertained by performances from last year's scholarship recipients.